University supports drive to inspire next generation of engineers

A competition to inspire the next generation of engineers will launch next week at the University of Liverpool.

The `If you were an engineer, what would you do? competition aims to identify the creative engineering talent of tomorrow.

The launch event will welcome children from Pleasant Street and Sacred Heart Primary schools and Rainhill High School to the University’s School of Engineering to engage with staff, students and local engineering firms.

The children will be asked to identify a problem of their own that they would like to solve, draw a solution to it and then make the case to the engineers as to why it should be made.

The event will also include an exhibition of previous winning entries from surrounding regions and presentations by University engineers, the Primary Engineer and the supporting organisations.

All entries from Merseyside and Cheshire schools will be graded by engineers from across the region and winners selected per year group. All children that take part receive a certificate with their grade and the engineer that graded their design.

Prizes will be awarded to winners at a special summer celebration event hosted by the University of Liverpool which will include an exhibition of entries from all participating schools which parents, families, industry, academia and the wider community are welcome to enjoy.

Diane Taktak, from the University’s School of Engineering, said: “The University of Liverpool’s School of Engineering is delighted to be supporting this competition; engineering is vitally important to the Merseyside and Cheshire area and we’re working hard to attract the next generation of talented students, especially female students, into the engineering profession!

Liam Weatherill, Regional Director with the Primary Engineer, said: “The ‘If you were an Engineer, what would you do?’ competition is a great introduction to engineering and what better way for children of all ages to have an understanding of this than to interview an engineer.”

Supported nationally by Facebook, Network Rail and Gatwick Airport, the f you were an engineer, what would you do? competition is open to children from 3 to 19 years of age. Last year, more than 49,000 entries were received from schools in the UK. Nearly 51% of the entries nationally were from girls and 58% of the winners across all age groups were female.

The Primary Engineer & Secondary Engineer Leaders Award 2019 Merseyside and Cheshire launch will take place at the Harrison Hughes Building on Wednesday 15th January 2020, 9.30am -12pm.

If you wish to attend this launch event please register here  >>>>>>>